Ideas & Insights

As U.S. citizens, when you interact with the IRS you have certain rights, even with asking a simple question about taxes. These rights are outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Below are the ten rights summarized with links to learn more:

Filling out an accurate and complete tax return form is important. When it’s incorrect or isn’t filled out all the way, it takes longer to process and fix which can delay a refund. Here are the 8 most common mistakes tax payers make on their forms according to the IRS:

Americans have a lot of stress around money, and that easily filters into relationships. In a SunTrust Bank survey, 47% of responders said they and their spouse have different spending habits. And, 35% said that money is the leading cause of stress in their relationship.

If you're working on your 2016 Taxes, there is still time to contribute to your IRA (not including extensions). For most taxpayers, the contribution deadline is April 18, 2017. As long as your total contributions don't exceed the annual limit, you can contribute to a traditional IRA, Roth IRA or both.

The 2016 income phaseout ranges for determining deductibility of traditional IRA contributions are:

So, you've landed the gig-- congrats! As you start a new job, it's an exciting time filled with possibilities. It can also be slightly chaotic as you transition into your new normal. Make sure you evaluate your financial and retirement planning as you enter into a new work space.

Our checklist will walk you through simple questions to make sure your financial plan is on track.

Now that we're officially in tax season, it time to start thinking about the tax impact of the activity in your investment accounts. As you start working with your tax preparer, it's beneficial to understand the taxes on dividends and capital gains.

Whether you're planning for retirement or just starting your financial planning, buying a home can impact your entire financial picture. Often times, families and individuals purchase in the summer--However, if you're trying to score a deal, winters can be a buyers market. Before taking the mortgage plunge, consider the following home-buying checklist.

As we're counting down to 2017 and the year is coming to a close, you may begin to start thinking about charitable giving. Whether the holiday season is inspiring you to pause or you're thinking of year end planning, it's helpful to know some basic charitable giving information before the year-end tax deadlines.